eth2 Posted June 16, 2014 Share Posted June 16, 2014 I have read Forum members discussing horn modifications in different threads. I am wondering whether I should dampen the k-400 horns in my new/old LaScalas. They have the original drivers (and the original seals). If so, is there a consensus as to what is the best material to use to coat the horns? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frzninvt Posted June 16, 2014 Share Posted June 16, 2014 Don't think you will gain anything but dynamat works well albeit pricey. Putty or clay would be cheaper but looks horrid and cheap. Klipsch used to sell the K401 for $50/ea which is the route I would take, but once those K400's are tightened up real good to the motorboard and back brace they are pretty solid. I have never heard one ring even at insane volume levels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvel Posted June 16, 2014 Share Posted June 16, 2014 once those K400's are tightened up real good to the motorboard and back brace they are pretty solid. I have never heard one ring even at insane volume levels. ditto! I never had a problem with them. If you wanted, you could lay a bag of shot or BBs on top of the horn. As long as the horn is tight to the front baffle and the brace is on the throat end, you should be good.Bruce Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seti Posted June 16, 2014 Share Posted June 16, 2014 If you screw down a bell it does not ring.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eth2 Posted June 16, 2014 Author Share Posted June 16, 2014 Thanks, Guys, I will leave them as is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joessportster Posted June 16, 2014 Share Posted June 16, 2014 Rope caulk is a cheap alternative that I have seen multiple people comment on here years ago, it is very easy to install as well................I personally never had a cause to use any damping material on the horns Most report using it to mitigate horn ringing, which I am sure some can hear Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarheel Posted June 16, 2014 Share Posted June 16, 2014 (edited) That horn is harsh to a lot of folks....me included. I suffered from listening fatigue far to often. Next pair of clones I used the Altec horns and drivers as many here have done. Mucho mejor! One of the xover guys said he could make the LS really sing....or I think he said sing Edited June 16, 2014 by Tarheel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eth2 Posted June 16, 2014 Author Share Posted June 16, 2014 Thanks, Tarheel. I am going to play with this for awhile as soon as Bob Crites gets my crossovers and tweeters back to me (should be tomorrow). I want these for outside use during the summer, so they will be playing at fairly high volume and with no interference from walls, ceilings, etc. I am psyched to hear them play! My goal is to see how my closest neighbor (about 1 mile) likes music. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiet_Hollow Posted June 16, 2014 Share Posted June 16, 2014 If the screws, on the tweeters, holding the throat assembly to the horn lens (the four that pass through the magnet) are even an 1/8 turn too loose, the diaphragms will buzz/ring loud enough to be audible from across the room while playing certain material...not to mention, sound like crap (harsh) in the process. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deang Posted June 16, 2014 Share Posted June 16, 2014 One of the xover guys said he could make the LS really sing....or I think he said sing They sure sounded pretty good last night. My room is well damped though (paneling, carpet, etc.) Never heard about that loose screws/tweeter thing -- good info. Like Seti said, if they're screwed to the motorboard, they don't ring. I wen't through all of that years ago -- adding caulk is a placebo effect. I know this because when I decided to remove it -- it sounded the same. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babadono Posted June 16, 2014 Share Posted June 16, 2014 GotHover's wooden tractix replacement------some of the best money I've ever spent. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daan Posted June 16, 2014 Share Posted June 16, 2014 GotHover's wooden tractix replacement------some of the best money I've ever spent. X2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seanwalsh Posted June 17, 2014 Share Posted June 17, 2014 The most drastic and easily discerned improvements that I have made to my la scalas were daves' fastrac horns and bobs' crossovers. Somewhere around $700 and after that it is just to my tastes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClaudeJ1 Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 GotHover's wooden tractix replacement------some of the best money I've ever spent. I saw your photogaphs. Now THAT is the way to upgrade a LaScala. I'll bet is sounds great, since the mass break point of a K-33 woofer barely makes it to 300 Hz. Now you just need a horn sub. below 100. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvel Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 The easiest and cheapest way to stop the harshness on the K400 is to adjust the crossover and cut the mids by 3db. Amazingly smooth, and makes the bass sound better too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deang Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 (edited) @Claude: everyone is smarter than Paul Klipsch. : ) There's a reason he had frequency response 4th on the list of things that matter most. @Marvel: now that I'm back to just normal listening levels, the stock setting sounds perfectly fine. OTOH, I am running a coil in series with the K-55-V which is probably taking things down a little (yes, I'm smarter than PK too. : ) EDIT: The Jupiter capacitors, and the fact that they are certainly contributing more loss, has as much to do with what I'm experiencing as that coil Edited July 5, 2014 by DeanG 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvel Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 now that I'm back to just normal listening levels, the stock setting sounds perfectly fine. There is something to be said about listening at levels that won't damage your hearing. The cleaner the reproduction, the easier it is to turn it up, because it sounds good. At least until you lose your hearing and have to turn it up even more. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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